Methods, Systems, Devices, and Products for Providing Alerts for Communications

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and products provide alerts to a communications device. Sports scores may be associated to alerts, ringtones, and filenames. As communications are processed, a sports score may determine an alert.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/899,617, filed Jul. 27, 2004, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. ______ andincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to methods, systems, devices andproducts for providing alerts for communications and, more particularly,to enabling a calling party to select an alert that is played at acalled party's communications device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mobile phones, such as cellular phones, have become an integral part ofour society. Mobile phones have not only become standard equipment forthe employees of many businesses, but have also been widely adopted forpersonal use. In fact, within a single household, it is likely that morethan one family member will possess a mobile phone.

Because of the prevalence of mobile phones in our society, the sound ofa mobile phone ringing in a public place is common background noise.Previously, when many mobile phones had the same ring, when one person'smobile phone started to ring many people would check their phones to seeif it was their phone that was ringing. Partly because of this problemand also because of people's desire to personalize their phone, mobilephones now allow the user to select a ring tone from a list of ringtones stored in the phone. Recently users can even download songs andother ring tones from their mobile phone service provider or from athird party provider of ring tones to further personalize their phones.Thus, users are no longer limited to the list of ring tones stored intheir phone but can select from an almost unlimited number of ringtones. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,330 to Lee and U.S.Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/0067751 to Vandermeijden etal., which are incorporated herein by reference, both of which describethe ability of a mobile phone user to select a ring tone and toassociate ring tones with the calling party. Users desire thesepersonalized features, and these personalized features are profitablefor the service provider and for the third party providers of the ringtones.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method according to an embodiment of the invention provides an alertcommunications service. This alert communications service can bepersonalized by a calling party, and this alert communications serviceprovides an additional revenue opportunity for the calling party's orcalled party's service provider as well as a provider of alerts. Thisalert communications service allows the calling party of a communicationto select the alert played to the called party. The alert can be audio,visual (such as an image or video), tactile, or any such combinations.Thus, the calling party determines whether the called party'scommunications device rings, plays a song, plays a movie, or displays apicture. The calling party might even select personal pictures,self-composed music, and/or streamed audio and/or video content (such asradio, stock quotes, news, weather, and/or advertisements). The callingparty might also specify alerts according to electronic calendarentries, such as by the day of the week, the time of day, and/orappointments in the calendar. The calling party calling may evenassociate particular alerts to particular called parties, thus providinga variety of personalized alerts.

One advantage of a method according to an embodiment of the invention isthat the calling party can select the alert played on called party'scommunications device. Currently, the called party can associate aparticular ring tone to the calling party or select standard ring tonefor a mobile phone. The called party may not like the ring tone that thecalled party selected. A method according to an embodiment of theinvention allows the called party to personalize the alert according tothe desires of the calling party, not called party. In this manner, thecalling party can select an alert that captures the calling party'spersonality. Additionally, the called party benefits because ofreceiving entertainment from the calling party selected alerts and alsosince they can more easily identify the calling party. Rather than thecalled party needing to associate each calling party with a uniquealert, a method according to an embodiment of the invention allows thecalling party to make this selection.

This alert communications service also provides a revenue opportunityfor service providers. The calling party may be charged a monthly feefor this alert service. The calling party may additionally oralternatively be charged a nominal fee per each personalized alert. Theservice provider could also realize revenue by providing a selection ofalerts to the calling party and/or the general public, and more revenuecould be realized from a nominal fee for each downloaded alert. Theservice provider may also charge a fee for enabling the alert service.The called party, too, may be charged a fee for receiving/processing thepersonalized alert, such as a monthly fee or usage fee.

One method according to an embodiment of the invention processes acommunication request initiated by the calling party and terminating atthe called party's communications device. An alert accompanying thecommunication request is also processed. The alert is selected by thecalling party for being played on the called party's communicationsdevice, and the alert announces the incoming communication request. Thismethod thus allows the calling party to specify the alert to be playedon the called party's communications device.

Another of the embodiments is directed to a method of providing an alertfor the called party's communications device. A communication requestinitiated by the calling party is forwarded for termination at thecalled party's communications device. An alert is also received andaccompanies the communication request. The alert is selected by thecalling party for presentation on the called party's communicationsdevice, and the alert announces the incoming communication request.

Another of the embodiments is directed to a method of receiving an alertat a communications device. Here the alert is received via acommunications network. The alert accompanies an incoming communicationrequest, and the alert is selected by the calling party for being playedon the communications device. The alert announces the incomingcommunication request and is played on the communications device. Thecalling party may thus specify the alert to be played on the calledparty's communications device.

Yet another of the embodiments is directed to a method of providing acommunications service to a calling party. The calling party is provideda selection of alerts. One or more of the alerts accompany acommunication from the calling party, and the alert(s) is/are forannouncing the incoming communication request at the called party'scommunications device. The calling party may preview the alert beforeselecting. That is, the calling party may hear, see, and/or feel thepreviewed alert. The calling party may even smell and/or touch thealert, if those features are available. The selection of alerts may bepresented using a graphical user interface (GUI) stored in memory. Thecalling party's selection of an alert is accepted, thus allowing thecalling party to specify the alert to be presented on the called party'scommunications device.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a system forproviding an alert. This system includes an alert module stored in amemory device, and a processor communicates with the memory device. Thealert module provides a selection of alerts to the calling party, andthe alert module accepts the calling party's selection of an alert. Thealert accompanies a communication request from the calling party, andthe alert is for announcing the incoming communication request to thecalled party.

Other systems, methods, devices, and/or computer program productsaccording to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill inthe art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description.It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/orcomputer program products be included within this description, be withinthe scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanyingclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention are better understood when the following Detailed Descriptionof the Invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic illustrating a network for providing analert communications service, according to the embodiments of thisinvention;

FIGS. 2-4 are more detailed schematics of networks providing this alertcommunications service, according to the embodiments of this invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematics of networks providing this alertcommunications service, according to the embodiments of this invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an operating environment for embodiments of thisinvention;

FIG. 8 depicts another operating environment for embodiments of thisinvention;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematics illustrating still more networks accordingto embodiments of this invention operating within various communicationsdevices;

FIGS. 11-13 are schematics further illustrating various communicationsdevices for playing alerts according to embodiments of this invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic further illustrating various communicationsdevices for playing alerts according to embodiments of this invention;

FIGS. 15-17 are schematics further illustrating this alertcommunications service in a wireless environment; and

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing an alertcommunications service to a calling party.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodimentsare shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of theinvention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, allstatements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well asspecific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural andfunctional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that suchequivalents include both currently known equivalents as well asequivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed thatperform the same function, regardless of structure).

Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the likerepresent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methodsembodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown inthe figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware aswell as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly,any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their functionmay be carried out through the operation of program logic, throughdedicated logic, through the interaction of program control anddedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique beingselectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinaryskill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware,software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described hereinare for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limitedto any particular named manufacturer.

Methods, systems, devices, computer programs, and computer programproducts according to embodiments of the invention provide an alertcommunications service. This alert communications service can bepersonalized by a calling party, and this alert communications serviceprovides an additional revenue opportunity for the service provider.This alert communications service allows the calling party to select thealert announced to the called party. The alert is played during a waittime occurring after a communication request is received at the calledparty's communications device and before the calling party'scommunications device receives a resolution of the communicationrequest. The communication request can be resolved by the called partyaccepting the communication request, such as by lifting the handset ifthe called party's communication device is a telephone. Otherresolutions include rejecting the request, such as by returning a busysignal, or re-directing the communication request to voice mail or toanother called party's communication device. The alert can be audio,visual (such as images or video), and/or tactile feedback delivered tothe called party. For instance, the calling party determines whether thecalled party's communications device rings, plays a song, plays a movie,or displays a picture. The calling party might even select personalpictures, self-composed music, and/or streamed audio and/or videocontent (such as radio, stock quotes, news, weather, and/oradvertisements). The calling party might also specify alerts accordingto electronic calendar entries, such as by the day of the week, the timeof day, and/or appointments in the calendar. The calling party may evenassociate particular alerts to particular called parties, thus providinga variety of personalized alerts.

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic of a network providing an alertcommunications service. The calling party, using a calling party'scommunications device 10, initiates a communication request 12 to acalled party's communications device 14. The communication request 12may be any form of electronic communication, such as an email, a page, afacsimile, a Plain Old Telephone System telephone call, and/or anInternet Protocol telephone call. Furthermore, as described in moredetail below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the devices 10 and 14 maybe any type of communications device. The communication request 12 isrouted from the calling party's communications device 10 to the calledparty's communications device 14 via a communications network 16.Communications equipment (such as computer servers, switches, and othercomputer systems that will be later explained) operate within thecommunications network 16 and process the communication request 12. Thiscommunications equipment also processes an alert 18. This alert 18accompanies the communication request 12, and the alert 18 is selectedby the calling party for being played on the called party'scommunications device 14. The alert 18 may be ring tones, graphics,audio, or other alert (as further explained) that announces the incomingcommunication request 12.

This network allows the calling party to specify the alert 18. That is,the calling party of the communication request 12 selects what alertthat is played on the called party's communications device 14. When thecalled party sees/hears the alert 18, that alert 18 is personalized bythe—calling party. The alert 18 may be any music, tone(s), and/orgraphics selected by the calling party. As one example, the alert to beplayed at the called party's communications device 14 may be the sametone, images, etc. that the calling party has playing as a ring back onthe calling party's communications device 10 or the same alert that thecalling party has selected for incoming communication requests. Thecalling party, for example, may select an .mp3 file to announce theincoming communication request 12. The calling party may want theirincoming communication request 12 announced by The Who's “MyGeneration,” Beethoven's “Für Elise,” or any other music selected by thecalling party. The calling party might also prefer a picture, portionsof a movie, or other graphics. The calling party might even specifystreamed audio and/or video content, such as radio, stock quotes, news,weather, and/or advertisements. The calling party could also use logicalrules for specifying the alert 18. These logical rules might specifyalerts by the month, the day of the week, and/or the time of day. Asthis patent will further explain, the calling party may even associateparticular alerts to particular called parties, thus providing a varietyof personalized alerts.

As mentioned above, the calling party can select the alert. The callingparty is intended to encompass more than just the individual user orowner of the calling party's communications device 10 who can select orcontrol the alert. For instance, the calling party may comprise anemployer or other organization or entity that is associated with a groupof communications devices. The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Ga., forinstance, may designate their latest corporate jingle as the alert to beplayed whenever someone makes a call on a company phone. Further, asdescribed in more detail below, the calling party may select the alertby accepting a selection or group of alerts offered by a provider ofalerts or the communications service provider.

The network 16 may comprise any type of network and may actuallycomprise a plurality of interconnected networks. These networks include,but are not limited to, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), theInternet, intranet, Public Branch Exchange (PBX), wireless network,satellite network, cable network, power network, and/or a home network.As will become more apparent from the description below, an alertservice according to an embodiment of the invention allows a mobilephone called party to receive an alert specified by the calling party.As another example, a POTS called party, a called party using a cablenetwork, and a called party using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)may also receive alerts specified by the respective calling parties.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,639 to Motohashi, which is incorporated herein byreference, describes a system that allows a limited ability for thesettings of a called telephone to be changed. As discussed in theBackground section of this patent, a remote control technique exists fortesting terminals that allows the calling party to change the volume ofring or degree of vibration at the called party's telephone. Thistechnique can be inconvenient for the called party and may introducesome confusion. Motohashi describes how the called party's phone withinthis testing environment can accept or unconditionally refuse a requestby the calling telephone to change the ring volume or call vibrator(see, e.g., column 2, lines 30-35). Motohashi, however, does notdisclose how the specific alert that is played to the called party canbe selected by the calling party—only that in the one particular testingenvironment how the volume of the ring or the activation of the vibratorcan be controlled.

FIGS. 2-4 are detailed schematics of networks providing this alertcommunications service. This alert communications service allows thecalling party to specify the alert 18. The calling party of thecommunication request 12 selects what alert that is played on the calledparty's communications device 14. As FIG. 2 shows, an alert module 20manages the alert communications service for the—calling party. Thealert module 20 comprises methods, systems, computer programs, and/orcomputer program products that process the alert 18 played on the calledparty's communications device 14. The alert module 20 operates withinany computer system, such as a communications server 22. Thecommunications server 22 operates at any location within thecommunications network 16. As the communication request 12 iscommunicated to the called party's communications device 14, the alertmodule 20 determines whether the personalized alert 18 is required. Ifthe personalized alert 18 is required, the alert module 20 queries analert database 24 stored in a memory 26 of the communications server 22.The alert 18 is retrieved and communicated to the called party'scommunications device 10. The alert 18 plays music, a movie clip,presents a picture, or otherwise alerts the called party to the incomingcommunication request 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates an association for this alert communications service.As the communication request 12 is processed, the alert module 20queries the alert database 24 for the calling party. If the callingparty is located in the alert database 24, then the alert database 24also communicates the personalized alert 18 associated with the callingparty. As Table A shows, the alert database 24 stores a list of callingparties to this alert communications service. The alert database 24 mayidentify/locate a calling party according to name, physical address,social security number, and/or some other identifying information. Thealert database 24, however, typically identifies a calling partyaccording to a communications address 28. The communications address 28may be a telephone number 30 and/or an email address 32. If either thecalling party's telephone number 30 or email address 32 is found in thealert database 24, then the alert database 24 communicates thepersonalized alert 18 associated with the calling party.

FIG. 4 illustrates another association for this alert communicationsservice. The association shown in FIG. 3 retrieves one personalizedalert 18 per communications address 28. In other embodiments of thisinvention, however, the calling party may be able to associateparticular alerts to particular called parties, thus providing a varietyof personalized alerts. Each calling party could have a profile 34.Logically grouped within this profile 34 would be various callingparty-defined alert associations 36. The calling party could accesstheir profile 34 via an interactive voice response system, a graphicaluser interface and the Internet, or any other selection method.Furthermore, the calling party may create associations directly throughthe calling party's communications device 10 and the associations may bestored in local memory. The associations may be stored anywhere on thenetwork 16 and, if created locally by the device 10, the device 10 maytransmit those associations for remote storage, such as through an SMSmessage. As Table B shows, the calling party associates the called partyto the alert 18. That is, the calling party can enter the callingparty's communications address 28, the called party's telephone number38, and the associated alert 18. The calling party, of course, couldalso associate the calling party's email address 32 or an InternetProtocol address, the called party's telephone number 38, and theassociated alert 18. The calling party may even associate the calledparty's email address 40 or Internet Protocol address to the alert 18.Whether the called party utilizes the telephone number 38 or the emailaddress 40, the calling party may associate a personalized alert for thecalled party. The calling party may even identify the called partyaccording to name, physical address, account number(s), social securitynumber, and/or some other identifying information. However the callingparty defines their profile 34, the alert database 24 retrieves andreturn communicates the personalized alert 18 associated with the calledparty.

FIG. 4 also illustrates associations for multiple called partycommunications addresses 41. The called party may have a mobiletelephone number 42, a home telephone number 44, and an office telephonenumber 46. The calling party may choose to associate different alerts18, depending on the called party's communications addresses 41. A callto the called party's mobile telephone number 42 may present a musicfile alert, while a call to the called party's office telephone number46 may receive a more subdued alert. However the calling party definestheir profile 34, the alert database 24 communicates the personalizedalert 18 associated with the calling party's communications address 28and the called party's communications addresses 41.

The calling party may further associate personalized alerts. The callingparty, as explained above, may choose to associate different alerts 18,depending on the called party's communications addresses 41. FIG. 4 alsodemonstrates, however, that the calling party may associate alertsdepending upon the calling party's communications address 28. Thecalling party may associate different alerts, depending upon the callingparty's mobile phone, home phone, work phone, email address, pageraddress, and any other communications address. A call routing from thecalling party's mobile phone to the called party's mobile telephonenumber 42 may present a first alert, while a call from the callingparty's mobile phone to the called party's home telephone number 44 maypresent a second alert. The calling party may continue associatingdifferent alerts to the calling party's home phone, work phone, emailaddresses pager addresses, and other communications addresses. Theprofile 34 thus allows the calling party to completely personalize thealert 18, depending on the calling party's communications address andthe called party's communications address.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are examples of ways in which the calling party mayassociate alerts 18 to called parties. In general, the calling party mayselect an alert 18 based on any one or any combination of the calledparty's communication device 14, the calling party's communicationdevice 10, the network 16, or the time of day. For instance, the alertsmay vary depending upon whether the called party's communication device14 is capable of displaying images or video or whether the device 14 canprovide tactile feedback. Another factor that can be considered whenselecting an alert 18 includes the status of the called party'scommunications device 14, such as whether the device 14 is currently inuse or busy, is available for handling a communication, is turned on oroff, or some other status of the communications device 14. As furtherexample, alerts can be selected based on the type of called party,whereby a company can receive a drastically different alert than afamily member.

As another example, the alerts 18 can be tied to another source of data,such as third party data available through the network 16. For instance,the calling party can instruct the alert module 20 to tie the alerts tocurrent weather conditions for the calling party. With this example, thealert module 20 would query a third party source of weather data toretrieve local weather conditions, perform a look up in the callingparty's profile to determine which alert to select, and then communicatethe appropriate alert to the called party. Thus, the called party canreceive “Let it Snow” when it is snowing, “Rain Drops Keep Falling on MyHead” when it is raining, or a song from Roger Hurricane Wilson if ahurricane is approaching. Instead of weather data, the third party datamay be financial data, such as whether a stock price is up or downduring a day, or sports data, such as whether the local football teamwon its game the prior weekend. As apparent from the examples above,this third party data may be received in real-time or, alternatively,may be received only at certain times.

Instead of the calling party selecting the alert, the calling party mayopt for a default alert or program of alerts. Thus, rather than tryingto select appropriate alerts for weather conditions, a provider of thealert service can formulate a weather program of alerts that the callingparty can select. The calling party may also opt for a random selectionof alerts or perhaps a selection of alerts within a certain genre, suchas songs from The Who or video clips from Clint Eastwood westerns. Asanother example, the alerts provider may provide seasonal alerts thatare tied to holidays or may provide an alert program tied to a region,such as one for Atlanta, Ga. and another one for Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematics further illustrating networks that providethis alert communications service. Here the alert 18 may be a data file48 and/or an indication 50 of the alert. As the communication request 12is processed for delivery to the called party's communications device14, the alert module 20 queries the alert database 24. If thepersonalized alert 18 is required, the alert database 24 retrieves andreturn communicates the personalized alert 18. The alert 18 is thenplayed on the called party's communications device 14. In the example ofFIG. 5, the alert module 20 actually delivers the alert or causes thealert to be delivered, such as through an alert provider, to the calledparty. In the example of FIG. 6, the alert is not actually delivered butthe alert module 20 provides the indication 50 from which the calledparty's communications device 14 can retrieve the alert. This indication50 may be an identification of the alert, such as by name or memorypointer, or a command instructing the called party's communicationdevice 14 to retrieve the alert.

As FIG. 5 shows, the alert 18 may comprise the data file 48. When thealert database 24 retrieves and return communicates the personalizedalert 18, the alert 18 may include the data file 48. That is, the datafile 48 is “pushed” to the called party's communications device 14. Thedata file 48 comprises the personalized alert 18 that plays on thecalled party's communications device 14. When the data file 48 arrivesat the called party's communications device 14, the called party'scommunications device 14 reads the data file 48. The data file 48 couldcontain any music, tone(s), movie(s), and/or graphics selected by thecalling party.

As FIG. 6 shows, the alert 18 may comprise the indication 50. When thealert database 24 communicates the personalized alert 18, the alert 18may include the indication 50. The indication 50 indicates what alertshould be retrieved from memory and presented on the called party'scommunications device 14. When the indication 50 is received by thecalled party's communications device 14, the indication 50 instructs thecalled party's communications device 14 to locally retrieve theappropriate alert 18. The indication 50 may be a filename, a memorypointer, and/or instructions for presenting the alert 18. When thecalled party's communications device 14 receives the indication 50, thecalled party's communications device 14 locally retrieves and presentsthe appropriate alert. The calling party may thus specify the alert tobe played on the recipient's communications device 14, and the alertannounces the incoming communication request 12. The indication 50 mayinclude a command for the called party's communications device 14 withinstructions on how to obtain the alert, such as locally on the device14 itself or from a remote location. If the alerts are stored locallywithin the device 14, the called party may exert some control orcensorship over the types of alerts that may be presented on the device14. If the alert is not present in the device 14, then the device 14would revert to the standard alert or an alert selected by the calledparty. Instead of retrieving the alert from local memory, the indication50 may be a pointer to a remote memory or a command on how to retrievethe alert.

FIG. 7 illustrates an operating environment for embodiments of thisinvention. FIG. 7 is a schematic showing the alert module 20 operatingwithin the communications network 16. The alert module 20 operateswithin the communications server 22, and the communications server 22interfaces with a Public Switched Telephone Network 54 and with adistributed computing network 56. The communications network 16 alsoincludes a communications switch 52 interfacing with the communicationsserver 22, with the Public Switched Telephone Network 54, and with thedistributed computing network 56. The communications server 22interfaces with the communications switch 52 via a packet protocol, suchas Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The communications server 22 mayinclude voice service protocols, triggers, and/or operations that allowthe Public Switched Telephone Network 54 and the distributed computingnetwork 56 to interoperate. The communications server 22 may be apacket-based “softswitch” that uses software control to provide voice,data, and video services by dynamically changing its connection datarates and protocols types. The communications switch 22 mayalternatively or additionally include Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN)components controlling many features of the communications switch 22. Inthe AIN environment, signaling is initiated from the calling party'sswitch to the called party's switch and a trigger at the called party'sswitch causes a query that is ultimately routed to the alert module 20.The alert module 20 ensures that the alert is being played at the calledparty's communications device 14. The alert module 20 may deliver thealert along with a command to play the alert. The communication device14 may be alert-capable and be programmed such that it plays the alertuntil the device 14 detects activity, such as the called party answeringthe phone. In a wireless network, the called party may have a flag intheir Home Location Register (HLR) which initiates the signaling to thering back module 20. For a general description of conventional callrouting, the reader is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,719 issued toWeisser (Jul. 4, 1995), with the “Summary of the Invention” and the“Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment” sections incorporatedherein by reference. The reader is also directed to U.S. Pat. No.5,917,817 issued to Dunn et al. (Jun. 29, 1999), with the “Summary ofthe Invention” and the “Detailed Description” sections incorporatedherein by reference.

FIG. 8 depicts another operating environment for an embodiment of thisinvention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the alert module 20residing in a computer system 58 (such as the communications server 22shown in FIGS. 2-7). The alert module 20 operates within a system memorydevice. The alert module 20, for example, is shown residing in a memorysubsystem 60. The alert module 20, however, could also reside in flashmemory 62 or peripheral storage device 64. The computer system 58 alsohas one or more central processors 66 executing an operating system. Theoperating system, as is well known, has a set of instructions thatcontrol the internal functions of the computer system 58. A system bus68 communicates signals, such as data signals, control signals, andaddress signals, between the central processor 66 and a systemcontroller 70 (typically called a “Northbridge”). The system controller70 provides a bridging function between the one or more centralprocessors 66, a graphics subsystem 72, the memory subsystem 60, and aPCI (Peripheral Controller Interface) bus 74. The PCI bus 74 iscontrolled by a Peripheral Bus Controller 76. The Peripheral BusController 76 (typically called a “Southbridge”) is an integratedcircuit that serves as an input/output hub for various peripheral ports.These peripheral ports could include, for example, a keyboard port 78, amouse port 80, a serial port 82 and/or a parallel port 84 for a videodisplay unit, one or more external device ports 86, and networking ports88 (such as SCSI or Ethernet). The Peripheral Bus Controller 76 couldalso include an audio subsystem 90. Those of ordinary skill in the artunderstand that the program, processes, methods, and systems describedin this patent are not limited to any particular computer system orcomputer hardware.

The central processor 66 is typically a microprocessor. Advanced MicroDevices, Inc., for example, manufactures a full line of ATHLON™microprocessors (ATHLON™ is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.,One AMD Place, P.O. Box 3453, Sunnyvale, Calif. 94088-3453,408.732.2400, 800.538.8450, www.amd.com). The Intel Corporation alsomanufactures a family of X86 and P86 microprocessors (Intel Corporation,2200 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, Calif. 95052-8119,408.765.8080, www.intel.com). Other manufacturers also offermicroprocessors. Such other manufacturers include Motorola, Inc. (1303East Algonquin Road, P.O. Box A3309 Schaumburg, Ill. 60196,www.Motorola.com), International Business Machines Corp. (New OrchardRoad, Armonk, N.Y. 10504, (914)499-1900, www.ibm.com), and TransmetaCorp. (3940 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara, Calif. 95054,www.transmeta.com). Those skilled in the art further understand that theprogram, processes, methods, and systems described in this patent arenot limited to any particular manufacturer's central processor.

The preferred operating system is WINDOWS® (WINDOWS® is a registeredtrademark of Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond Wash.98052-6399, 425.882.8080, www.Microsoft.com). Other operating systems,however, are also suitable. Such other operating systems would includethe UNIX® operating system (UNIX® is a registered trademark of the OpenSource Group, www.opensource.org), the UNIX-based Linux operatingsystem, WINDOWS NT®, and Mac® OS (Mac® is a registered trademark ofApple Computer, Inc., 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, Calif. 95014,408.996.1010, www.apple.com). Those of ordinary skill in the art againunderstand that the program, processes, methods, and systems describedin this patent are not limited to any particular operating system.

The system memory device (shown as memory subsystem 60, flash memory 62,or peripheral storage device 64) may also contain an applicationprogram. The application program cooperates with the operating systemand with a video display unit (via the serial port 82 and/or theparallel port 84) to provide a Graphical User Interface (GUI). TheGraphical User Interface typically includes a combination of signalscommunicated along the keyboard port 78 and the mouse port 80. TheGraphical User Interface provides a convenient visual and/or audibleinterface with a user of the computer system 58.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematics illustrating still more embodiments ofthis invention. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate that the alert module 20 mayalternatively or additionally operate within various communicationsdevices. FIG. 9, for example, illustrates that the alert module 20 mayentirely or partially operate within various calling partycommunications devices 10. FIG. 10 illustrates that the alert module 20may also entirely or partially operate within various called partycommunications devices 14. As FIG. 9 shows, the alert module 20 mayoperate in a personal digital assistant (PDA) 92, a Global PositioningSystem (GPS) device 94, an interactive television 96, an InternetProtocol (IP) phone 98, a pager 100, a cellular/satellite phone 102, orany computer system and/or communications device utilizing a digitalsignal processor (DSP) 104. FIG. 10, likewise, illustrates that thecalled party communications devices 14 may include the personal digitalassistant (PDA) 92, the Global Positioning System (GPS) device 94, theinteractive television 96, the Internet Protocol (IP) phone 98, thepager 100, the cellular/satellite phone 102, or any computer and/orcommunications device utilizing the digital signal processor (DSP) 104.The calling party's communications device 10, and/or the called party'scommunications device 14, may also include watches, radios, vehicleelectronics, clocks, printers, gateways, and other apparatuses andsystems.

FIGS. 11-13 are schematics further illustrating various communicationsdevices for playing alerts according to embodiments of the invention.FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a Subscriber Identity Module 106, whileFIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate, respectively, the Subscriber Identity Module106 embodied in a plug 108 and the Subscriber Identity Module 106embodied in a card 110. As those of ordinary skill in the art recognize,the Subscriber Identity Module 106 is used in conjunction with manycommunications devices (such as the cellular/satellite phone 102 shownin FIGS. 9 and 10). The Subscriber Identity Module 106 stores userinformation (such as the user's International Mobile SubscriberIdentity, the user's K_(i) number, and other user information) and anyportion of the alert module 20. As those of ordinary skill in the artalso recognize, the plug 108 and the card 110 each interface with thecommunications device according to GSM Standards 2.17 and 11.11 and ISOStandard 7816, with each incorporated herein by reference. The GSMStandard 2.17 is formally known as “European digital cellulartelecommunications system (Phase 1); Subscriber Identity Modules,Functional Characteristics (GSM 02.17 V3.2.0 (1995-01)).” The GSMStandard 11.11 is formally known as “Digital cellular telecommunicationssystem (Phase 2+) (GSM); Specification of the Subscriber IdentityModule—Mobile Equipment (Subscriber Identity Module—ME) interface (GSM11.11 V5.3.0 (1996-07)).” Both GSM standards are available from theEuropean Telecommunication Standards Institute (650 route des Lucioles,06921 Sophia-Antipolis Cedex, FRANCE, Tel.: +33 (0)4 92 94 42 00, Fax:+33 (0)4 93 65 47 16, www.etsi.org). The ISO Standard 7816 is formallyknown as “Information technology—Identification cards—Integratedcircuit(s) cards with contacts,” and the standard is available from theInternational Organization for Standardization (ISO) (1, rue de Varembé,Case, postale 56CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, Telephone +41 22 749 0111, Telefax +41 22 733 34 30, www.iso.org).

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the Subscriber Identity Module 106,whether embodied as the plug 108 of FIG. 12 or as the card 110 of FIG.13. Here the Subscriber Identity Module 106 comprises a microprocessor(μP) 114 communicating with memory modules 116 via a data bus 118. Thememory modules may include Read Only Memory (ROM) 120, Random AccessMemory (RAM) and or flash memory 122, and ElectricallyErasable-Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) 124. The SubscriberIdentity Module 106 stores some or all of the alert module 20 in one ormore of the memory modules 116. FIG. 11 shows the alert module 20residing in the Erasable-Programmable Read Only Memory 114, yet thealert module 20 could alternatively or additionally reside in the ReadOnly Memory 120 and/or the Random Access/Flash Memory 122. AnInput/Output module 126 handles communication between the SubscriberIdentity Module 106 and the communications device. Because SubscriberIdentity Modules are well known in the art, this patent will not furtherdiscuss the operation and the physical/memory structure of theSubscriber Identity Module 106. If, however, the reader desires moreinformation on the Subscriber Identity Module, the reader is directed tothe following sources: LAWRENCE HARTE et al., GSM SUPERPHONES 99-100,113-14 (1999); SIEGMUND REDL et al., GSM AND PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONSHANDBOOK 303-69 (1998); and JOACHIM TISAL, GSM CELLULAR RADIO TELEPHONY99-130 (1997), with each incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 14 is a schematic further illustrating various communicationsdevices for presenting alerts according to embodiments of the invention.FIG. 14 is a block diagram of another communications device 128utilizing the alert module 20. Here the communications device comprisesa radio transceiver unit 130, an antenna 132, a digital baseband chipset134, and a man/machine interface (MMI) 136. The transceiver unit 130includes transmitter circuitry 138 and receiver circuitry 140 forreceiving and transmitting radio-frequency (RF) signals. The transceiverunit 130 couples to the antenna 132 for converting electrical current toand from electromagnetic waves. The digital baseband chipset 134contains a digital signal processor (DSP) 142 and performs signalprocessing functions for audio (voice) signals and RF signals. As FIG.14 shows, the digital baseband chipset 134 may also include an on-boardmicroprocessor 144 that interacts with the man/machine interface (MMI)136. The man/machine interface (MMI) 136 may comprise a display device146, a keypad 148, and the Subscriber Identity Module 106. The on-boardmicroprocessor 144 performs GSM protocol functions and control functionsfor the radio circuitry 138 and 140, for the display device 146, and forthe keypad 148. The on-board microprocessor 144 may also interface withthe Subscriber Identity Module 106 and with the alert module 20 residingin the memory module 116 of the Subscriber Identity Module 106. Becausethe functional architecture of the communications device 128 is wellknown to those of ordinary skill in the art, the communications device128 will not be further discussed. If the reader desires a more detailedexplanation, the reader is invited to consult the following sources:LAWRENCE HARTE et al., GSM SUPERPHONES 105-120 (1999); SIEGMUND REDL etal., GSM AND PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK 389-474 (1998); andJOACHIM TISAL, GSM CELLULAR RADIO TELEPHONY 99-130 (1997), with eachincorporated herein by reference.

Systems and methods according to embodiments of the invention may beapplied to any signaling standard. As those of ordinary skill in the artrecognize, FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a Global System for Mobile (GSM)communications device. That is, the communications device utilizes theGlobal System for Mobile (GSM) communications signaling standard. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art, however, also recognize embodiments of theinvention are equally applicable to any communications device utilizingthe Time Division Multiple Access signaling standard, the Code DivisionMultiple Access signaling standard, the “dual-mode” GSM-ANSIInteroperability Team (GAIT) signaling standard, or any variant of theGSM/CDMA/TDMA signaling standard.

FIGS. 15-17 are schematics further illustrating this alert service. FIG.15 illustrates a procedure for establishing this alert communicationsservice in a wireless environment. FIG. 16 illustrates placement of acall and retrieval of the alert, while FIG. 17 illustrates “pushing” thealert to the called party. Beginning with FIG. 15, the calling partyassociates a called party to the desired alert. The calling party, forexample, may use a graphical user interface 150 to select the desiredalert. FIG. 15 shows a communications device 152, such as thecellular/satellite phone 102, presenting the graphical user interface150 to the calling party. The graphical user interface provides aselection of alerts to the calling party. The calling party uses akeypad 154 to scroll through the graphical user interface 150 and toselect the desired alert. The calling party then associates a calledparty with the desired alert. The calling party's selections arecommunicated during a data session communication. The calling party'sselections communicate to the alert module 20, and store in the alertdatabase 24, via a mobile switching center 156, via a gateway 158, viaan Internet Service Provider (ISP) 160 to the Internet 162, and via thecommunications server 22. The alert database 24 stores the callingparty's alert associations, as previously explained.

FIG. 16 illustrates placement of a call and retrieval of the alert. Thecalling party 164 places a call to the called party 166. The call routesto the mobile switching center 156 serving the calling party 164 whichinitiates a trigger 168. The trigger 168 is communicated to the alertmodule 20 operating in the communications server 22. The trigger 168includes data representing the calling telephone number and the calledtelephone number. The alert module 20 queries the alert database 24 forthe associated alert 16. The alert database 24 then retrieves theassociated alert 16.

FIG. 17 illustrates “pushing” the alert 18 to the called party 166. Oncethe associated alert 18 is retrieved, that alert 18 is returncommunicated to the called party 164. As FIG. 17 shows, the alert 18communicates to a mobile switching center 170 serving the called party166. The alert 16 communicates via the Internet 162, the InternetService Provider (ISP) 160, and the gateway 158. The alert 18(“stooges.wav”) is then presented on the called party's communicationsdevice 166. As FIG. 17 also shows, the alert module 20 and/or thecommunications server 22 may also issue processing/routing instructions172 for the call.

The teachings of this invention may also be applied to an InternetProtocol environment. When the call routes to the mobile switchingcenter 156 serving the calling party 164, the alert module 20, operatingin the communications server, analyzes the packets of data. The alertmodule 20 may analyze a header portion of one or more packets of dataand/or the alert module 20 may analyze a payload portion of one or morepackets of data. The header portion and/or the payload portion wouldinclude data representing the calling telephone number and the calledtelephone number. The alert module 20 would use this data to query thealert database 24 for the associated alert 18. The alert database 24then retrieves the associated alert 18, and that alert 18 is returncommunicated to the called party 166.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing an alertcommunications service to the calling party. A graphical user interfaceis stored in memory (Block 174). The graphical user interface may bestored in the memory of a computer (such as the computer server 22), andthe graphical user interface is accessed/downloaded via the Internet.The graphical user interface may additionally or alternatively belocally stored in the memory of the communications device 10 or otherdevice. The graphical user interface presents a selection of alerts tothe calling party (Block 176). The selection of alerts allows thecalling party to specify the alert to be presented on a called party'scommunications device. The calling party may be allowed to preview analert (Block 178), thus allowing the calling party to see, hear, feel,and/or otherwise experience the alert before selection. The callingparty's selection of an alert is accepted (Block 180), and the callingparty is allowed to associate the alert to a communications address ofthe called party (Block 182). The selected alert is processed (Block184). The calling party may thus specify the alert to be presented onthe called party's communications device.

The terms “processed,” “process,” “processing,” and variants, as usedherein, encompass any event from the time the calling party'scommunications device initiates a communication to the termination ofthe communication. The terms “processed,” “process,” “processing,” andvariants include storing the alert in memory, routing a voice path,signaling setup, and intelligence queries (e.g., Local NumberPortability queries, queries to retrieve Calling/Called Name/Numberinformation, AIN queries, and standard signaling messages to determinecall routing paths). The terms “processed,” “process,” “processing,” andvariants also include monitoring an established telephone call forpossible DTMF entry, switch hook flash, other events that indicate aparty on the telephone call has requested something, and delivery ofcall waiting tones and data. The terms “processed,” “process,”“processing,” and variants also include identification of packets, ofpacket headers, and of the payload contents of packets. The terms“processed,” “process,” “processing,” and variants include decipheringthe header and/or payload contents of a packet and acting on thosecontents. The terms “processed,” “process,” “processing,” and variantsalso include storing alert selections in memory, retrieving those alertselections, and/or communicating those alert selections to a calledparty and/or to another network device. The terms “processed,”“process,” “processing,” and variants, however, also encompass billingactivities and measurements at a switch or any other network element.

Censorship is also permissible. The calling party to this service canspecify the alert to be presented on the called party's communicationsdevice. The called party, however, may choose to block or censor thecalling party's selected alert. The called party may not approve ofcertain content for the alert. The called party may dislike some alerts.The called party, for example, may disapprove of lyrics, scenes, orother content in the alert. This method would also provide the calledparty an opportunity to block or censor the calling party's selectedalert. The called party may maintain a profile in the alert database 24.When the calling party's alert is retrieved, the alert module 20 couldcross-reference the calling party's alert to the called party's list ofapproved/censored/block alerts. If a match is found, the alert module 20would approve/decline the selected alert. The called party's profile mayspecify a default alert to be presented to the called party, in theevent the calling party's selected alert is censored/blocked. The calledparty's profile may even demand a mandatory alert to be presented to thecalled party, regardless of the calling party's selected alert.

Network selection of the alert is also possible. The calling party mightprovide a list of approved alerts. The list could include any content,such as music, movies, pictures, streaming audio/video, or othercontent. The calling party could then let the alert module 20 select thealert on behalf of the calling party. That is, when the called partyreceives a communication (such as an email or a telephone call), thecalled party would experience an alert selected from the list. The alertmodule 20 could use any method of selecting an alert from the list. Thealert module 20, for example, could randomly select from the list, orthe alert module 20 could sequentially work through the list with eachsuccessive communication. However the alert is selected, the alertmodule 20 selects the alert on behalf of the calling party.

Embodiments of the invention may also be applied to a sharedcommunications device. Many families, for example, share a singlecommunications device (e.g., computer, mobile phone, PDA). Because thecommunications device is shared amongst multiple users, theconfiguration parameters of the communications device can be switched tosuit each user. The alerts, likewise, may be personalized according tothe profile of the user. Each sharing user could maintain a uniqueprofile (such as the profile 34 in FIG. 4) of associated alerts. When auser's profile is activated or configured, that user's alertassociations are also activated. The alert module 20 may even use thecalled party's telephone number to automatically select the appropriateprofile and, thus, alert. When the called party's telephone number, forexample, is known to be a child's friend, the alert module 20 couldautomatically select that child's profile and the associated alert. Whenthe called party's telephone number is a friend of dad's, the alertmodule 20 could automatically select dad's profile and the associatedalert. If the called party's telephone number is a business, the alertmodule 20 could default to a subdued alert. The alert module 20, then,could be programmed to recognize certain called telephone numbers and toautomatically switch to an associated profile and alert.

The alert module (shown as reference numeral 20 in FIGS. 2-17) may bephysically embodied on or in a computer-readable medium. Thiscomputer-readable medium may include CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppydisk, memory card, and large-capacity disk (such as IOMEGA®, ZIP®,JAZZ®, and other large-capacity memory products (IOMEGA®, ZIP®, andJAZZ® are registered trademarks of Iomega Corporation, 1821 W. IomegaWay, Roy, Utah 84067, 801.332.1000, www.iomega.com). Thiscomputer-readable medium, or media, could be distributed to end-users,licensees, and assignees. These types of computer-readable media, andother types not mention here but considered within the scope of thepresent invention, allow the alert module to be easily disseminated. Acomputer program product for providing alerts to a called partycomprises the computer-readable medium and the alert module. The alertmodule is stored on the computer-readable medium and includes computercode/instructions. The alert module provides a selection of alerts to acalling party, and the alert module accepts the calling party'sselection of an alert. The alert presents to a called party to announcean incoming communication.

The alert module may be physically embodied on or in any addressable(e.g., HTTP, I.E.E.E. 802.11, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP))wireless device capable of presenting an IP address. Examples couldinclude a computer, a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), anInternet Protocol mobile phone, or a wireless pager.

While the present invention has been described with respect to variousfeatures, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilled in theart will recognize the invention is not so limited. Other variations,modifications, and alternative embodiments may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A system, comprising: a processor; and memory for storing code thatwhen executed causes the processor to perform operations, the operationscomprising: retrieving a sports team from a profile; retrieving a scoreassociated with the sports team; retrieving an indication of an alertassociated with the score; sending a communications request to anaddress; and sending the indication to the address to alert of thecommunications request and the score.
 2. The system according to claim1, wherein the operations further comprise querying for the score. 3.The system according to claim 1, wherein the operations further comprisestoring a database that associates sports scores to alerts.
 4. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the operations further compriseretrieving the profile associated with a calling address.
 5. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the operations further compriseassociating a calling number to the profile.
 6. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise associating a callednumber to the profile.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise retrieving a filename as the indication ofthe alert associated with the score.
 8. A method, comprising: retrievinga sports team from memory; retrieving a score associated with the sportsteam; querying the memory for the score; retrieving from the memory anindication of an alert associated with the score; generating acommunications request by a processor; sending the communicationsrequest to an address; and sending the indication to the address toalert of the communications request and the score.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising querying for the sports team.10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising storing adatabase that associates sports scores to indications of alerts.
 11. Themethod according to claim 8, further comprising retrieving a profileassociated with a calling address.
 12. The method according to claim 8,further comprising retrieving a profile associated with a calledaddress.
 13. The method according to claim 8, further comprisingretrieving a filename as the indication of the alert associated with thescore.
 14. A computer readable memory storing instructions that whenexecuted cause a processor to perform operations, the operationscomprising: retrieving a sports team from memory; retrieving a scoreassociated with the sports team; querying the memory for the score;retrieving from the memory an indication of an alert associated with thescore; generating a communications request by a processor; sending thecommunications request to an address; and sending the indication to theaddress to alert of the communications request and the score.
 15. Thecomputer readable memory according to claim 14, wherein the operationsfurther comprise querying for the score.
 16. The computer readablememory according to claim 14, wherein the operations further comprisestoring a database that associates sports scores to indications ofalerts.
 17. The computer readable memory according to claim 14, whereinthe operations further comprise retrieving a profile associated with acalling address.
 18. The computer readable memory according to claim 14,wherein the operations further comprise retrieving a profile associatedwith a called address.
 19. The computer readable memory according toclaim 14, wherein the operations further comprise retrieving a filenameas the indication of the alert associated with the score.
 20. Thecomputer readable memory according to claim 14, wherein the operationsfurther comprise sending the alert to the address.